Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Six-year Transportation Improvement Program and Adoption of Resolution
Body
Issue:
State law requires the City to prepare a six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and submit it to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) by July 31. In addition, a Public Hearing is required to receive public comment. Once the Public Hearing is complete, the City Council needs to approve a resolution to adopt the 2014-2019 TIP.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Hold the Public Hearing.
(If Council has no changes to the Six-year TIP after hearing public testimony)
Move to approve the 2014-2019 Six-year TIP and adopt the attached Resolution.
Staff Contact:
David Smith, Transportation Project Engineer, Public Works Department, 360.753.8496
Presenter(s):
David Smith, Transportation Project Engineer, Public Works Department
Background and Analysis:
WSDOT requires local governments to outline their specific transportation needs in a six-year TIP. Projects need to be identified in the TIP before cities can receive state and federal funding. City staff updates the TIP annually to ensure that all projects identified in the current Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) are included in the TIP.
It is important to note that City staff works closely with state and federal agencies to understand funding criteria. Every year, staff reviews projects and makes revisions to the TIP, so that the City is in the best position to successfully secure funding. For example, the Eastside/22nd Avenue Sidewalk is split into two projects this year: the portion from Boulevard to Cain Road and the portion from Fir Street to Wheeler Avenue. This allowed us to secure funding for the Boulevard Road to Cain Road portion; and the City can continue to seek opportunities for the remaining portion from Fir Street to Wheeler Avenue.
The cost estimates and project schedules in the TIP are preliminary and will be updated when funding is requested.
Attached is a summary of the TIP. Following is a description of how it is organized:
- Fully Funded Projects. These projects have received grant funding and are in the process of being implemented.
- Capacity Projects. These projects do not meet current levels of service (capacity) as defined by the Olympia Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). They often have multiple funding sources including impact fees, grants, and City general fund dollars.
- Annual Programs. These programs fund multiple projects within specific categories such as bicycle facilities, safety (hazard elimination), sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements, and pavement preservation.
- Parks, Arts and Recreation Projects. These projects are included in order to qualify them for state and federal funding.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
On June 12, City staff distributed the draft TIP and gave notice of the Public Hearing to the following organizations: City-recognized neighborhood associations, the West Olympia Business Association, Intercity Transit, Thurston Regional Planning Council, the cities of Lacey and Tumwater, Thurston County, and other interested parties.
Options:
- Approve the 2014-2019 Six-year TIP and adopt the resolution, after receiving public comment.
- Incorporate City Council changes to the 2014-2019 TIP and adopt the resolution.
- Delay approving the TIP so City Council can consider deleting, revising, and adding projects. Council would need to take action at the July 23 Council Meeting in order to meet WSDOT's July 31 deadline.
Financial Impact:
The 2014-2019 TIP identifies 41 projects totaling approximately $136 million in transportation projects. The City is seeking more than $50 million in federal funding and $20 million in state funding.